Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith (Hudson Taylor)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There is much to get in for this week’s links, so I won’t keep you any longer. Read on!

• As Christians, one of our disciplines involves reading Scripture on a regular basis. With the advent of the Accelerated Reading program set in schools nationwide, the Bible is claimed to be at a 10th grade reading level. With this in mind, Aimee Byrd challenges us to evaluate our comprehension of books (Scripture included) by reading above our designated reading level. We shouldn’t be believers who dislike reading. She also includes posts related to this one that gives good advice on how to plough through a book. May we all heed the need to read.
• Tim Challies has written a nice summary of how to make a case against abortion, and what it involves, including answering a few objections. This is definitely the right place to start in understanding the issue.
• Since the radio is a dispenser of daily doses of emotion-filled (above and beyond truth-filled) music and lyrics, Ryan Hoselton has written a case study of the difference between a popular song’s worldview (Pharrell’s song, Happy) and a biblical view of happiness. You might be in for a surprise at where the differences lie.
• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has introduced the opening of the Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam recently, which highlights the necessity of training future pastors in providing a Christian apologetic for the second largest world religion. You can also find a link to an article Al Mohler wrote contrasting the Christian and Muslim worldview, and some quick facts on Islam. This is one to bookmark.
• Eric Davis at The Cripplegate provides 11 lessons he’s learned since planting a church five years ago. In part two, he adds another 24 lessons. This is really good stuff, and worth spending time slowly reading through it.
• Looking for some good reads this summer? Head over to Karen Prior’s list of classic literary works that will challenge the thinking Christian.
• What does it look like to raise daughters in this day and age? Seems to be the same as previous generations, according to a mother of two adult daughters. I was surprisingly thankful for this article, and think you will be, too.
• What encouragement can you give to someone in the church who is currently sick? Pastor Jeremy Walker has some wise advice that I believe the church needs to hear. If you want to spend more time reading up on this issue, I highly recommend the thoughts Brian Croft lays out in his many posts on visiting the sick. He even wrote a book about it called Visit the Sick: Ministering God’s Grace in Times of Illness.
• Pastor Walker wrote a very succinct post on how to seek reconciliation with others, and not let things fester. Broad, but the general principles of peacemaking are laid out very nicely for us all to pay attention to.
• Since Kevin DeYoung has come out with a new book on the sufficiency of Scripture (Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me), Westminster Bookstore had a recent book launch event, which involved two talks given by DeYoung, and two conversations with the author and other pastors and scholars. You can watch or listen to the event. Don’t pass this one up.
• At the Gospel Coalition blog, an article was posted that tells the story of a deep friendship among two men that shows a love for one another that is reminiscent of the kind of love Scripture calls for.
• Understanding and delving deep into the doctrine of the Trinity takes time and effort. Fred Sanders lays out some theses regarding the revelation of the Trinity in Scripture and biblical history. Very thought-provoking.

That’s all for now! Looking forward to the enjoyment of Christ corporately this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria